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Dick Johnson: Autobiography
The incredible story of Dick Johnson – the Aussie battler who became an all-time V8 great.
Ford legend Johnson did not get his break in motorsport until he was famously smashed out by a rock in the 1980 Bathurst 1000. But true to his never-say-die attitude, he went on to establish one of Australia's most successful V8 Supercar teams, amidst a dramatic career that, on many occasions, almost saw him lose his home, his team and even his life.
Featuring intimate revelations and blistering shots at those who have stood in his way, Johnson reveals the incredible strength and commitment it took to win three Bathurst titles and a record five Australian Touring Car Championships in a remarkable racing career spanning almost 50 years.
Ford legend Johnson did not get his break in motorsport until he was famously smashed out by a rock in the 1980 Bathurst 1000. But true to his never-say-die attitude, he went on to establish one of Australia's most successful V8 Supercar teams, amidst a dramatic career that, on many occasions, almost saw him lose his home, his team and even his life.
Featuring intimate revelations and blistering shots at those who have stood in his way, Johnson reveals the incredible strength and commitment it took to win three Bathurst titles and a record five Australian Touring Car Championships in a remarkable racing career spanning almost 50 years.
432 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
4 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
James Phelps
36 books59 followersJames Phelps is an award-winning senior reporter for the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph in Sydney.
He began as on overnight police rounds reporter before moving into sport, where he became one of Australia's best news-breaking rugby league reporters.
James became News Corp Australia's Chief National Motorsports Writer and travelled the world, chasing F1 stories as well as becoming Australia's number one V8 Supercar reporter. James is also a senior feature writer for the Sunday Telegraph.
Following the bestselling Dick Johnson: The Autobiography of a True-Blue Aussie Sporting Legend, James returned to his roots to delve into the criminal underworld with a series of crime books: Australia's Hardest Prison: Inside the Walls of Long Bay Jail; Australia's Most Murderous Prison; and Australia's Toughest Prisons: Inmates. James is a twice V8 Supercar media award winner and a former News Awards 'Young Journalist of the Year' and 'Sport Reporter of the Year'.
He began as on overnight police rounds reporter before moving into sport, where he became one of Australia's best news-breaking rugby league reporters.
James became News Corp Australia's Chief National Motorsports Writer and travelled the world, chasing F1 stories as well as becoming Australia's number one V8 Supercar reporter. James is also a senior feature writer for the Sunday Telegraph.
Following the bestselling Dick Johnson: The Autobiography of a True-Blue Aussie Sporting Legend, James returned to his roots to delve into the criminal underworld with a series of crime books: Australia's Hardest Prison: Inside the Walls of Long Bay Jail; Australia's Most Murderous Prison; and Australia's Toughest Prisons: Inmates. James is a twice V8 Supercar media award winner and a former News Awards 'Young Journalist of the Year' and 'Sport Reporter of the Year'.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 15, 2018
Loved the early life stuff. Genuine reminder of days past.
Felt like the last 100 or so pages was a real rant with one debacle after another leading him close to bankruptcy on multiple occasions.
Still he comes across as a pretty straight shooter and as much as I hate to say it, a damn talented driver.
Felt like the last 100 or so pages was a real rant with one debacle after another leading him close to bankruptcy on multiple occasions.
Still he comes across as a pretty straight shooter and as much as I hate to say it, a damn talented driver.
May 3, 2015
Wow. This book is an emotional read. The current era of V8 Supercars is the era of my generation, but growing up in a family that loves Motorsport and with family friends who do as well, there was no way I wouldn't grow up knowing who Peter Brock and Dick Johnson, among the other greats were.
Being Ford supporters in our family, of course I knew about Dick Johnson, but being younger I didn't really understand a lot of things to do with Motorsport and how great these drivers were.
However following the current day V8 Supercar events, there was no way not to know that DJR was a team in trouble. I remember watching an interview on a current affairs, or Sunday night, one of those shows, that was with Dick and was about his career and touched on his financial troubles, and labelling him as a great Aussie battler. This was around the time this book was released, and the news story had intrigued me. I went out and bought Dicks book, but put off reading it until now.
I never thought I'd enjoy the book as much as I did. Dick Johnson, an Aussie Motorsport icon, holy moly what a life you've led. This book was extremely interesting to me, and Dick seems like such a humble and gracious man. Actually seeing in his own words all the troubles and burdens that he's been through with DJR these last few years just floored me. It's one thing to hear about it, but to actually read Dicks very own words, and see the dollar values written in print. Wow.
I love how Dick built his own cars and put his heart and soul into his team and his racing. This really was a fantastic and inspiring story - even though Dick has some tough times ahead today still.
Dick you're really are "Tru-Blu" as they say in Motorsport and I really hope that you get some piece of mind and can get out of this financial hole. Australian Motorsport fans are behind you, and this one story you should all read - no matter if you're a Ford of Holden supporter.
Being Ford supporters in our family, of course I knew about Dick Johnson, but being younger I didn't really understand a lot of things to do with Motorsport and how great these drivers were.
However following the current day V8 Supercar events, there was no way not to know that DJR was a team in trouble. I remember watching an interview on a current affairs, or Sunday night, one of those shows, that was with Dick and was about his career and touched on his financial troubles, and labelling him as a great Aussie battler. This was around the time this book was released, and the news story had intrigued me. I went out and bought Dicks book, but put off reading it until now.
I never thought I'd enjoy the book as much as I did. Dick Johnson, an Aussie Motorsport icon, holy moly what a life you've led. This book was extremely interesting to me, and Dick seems like such a humble and gracious man. Actually seeing in his own words all the troubles and burdens that he's been through with DJR these last few years just floored me. It's one thing to hear about it, but to actually read Dicks very own words, and see the dollar values written in print. Wow.
I love how Dick built his own cars and put his heart and soul into his team and his racing. This really was a fantastic and inspiring story - even though Dick has some tough times ahead today still.
Dick you're really are "Tru-Blu" as they say in Motorsport and I really hope that you get some piece of mind and can get out of this financial hole. Australian Motorsport fans are behind you, and this one story you should all read - no matter if you're a Ford of Holden supporter.
May 9, 2014
As a long time fan of Dick Johnson it was sad to read about the financial trouble that has plagued him in recent years.
Finding out about his early life and his start in motor racing made this book a worthwhile read.
His insight into other drives like Peter Brock, Jim Richards, John Bowe and all the other greats was interesting, and also his inside knowledge of V8 Supercars now makes me understand why I no longer watch this category of motor racing.
I hope V8 Supercars can fix all there problems and that Dick Johnson Racing can live on to be the strong team they once were.
I highly recommend this book to any fan of the old Touring Car Championship or V8 Supercars, whether you support the red or the blue doesn't really matter, this is worth reading even if you are a Brock fan.
Finding out about his early life and his start in motor racing made this book a worthwhile read.
His insight into other drives like Peter Brock, Jim Richards, John Bowe and all the other greats was interesting, and also his inside knowledge of V8 Supercars now makes me understand why I no longer watch this category of motor racing.
I hope V8 Supercars can fix all there problems and that Dick Johnson Racing can live on to be the strong team they once were.
I highly recommend this book to any fan of the old Touring Car Championship or V8 Supercars, whether you support the red or the blue doesn't really matter, this is worth reading even if you are a Brock fan.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews